Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister of State said, the buoyant economy is not going to be of much sólás to the people in Dublin who are losing their jobs. I understand that HCL Technologies and Eir had commented initially that they would endeavour to minimise disruption through detailed planning and co-operation. It is all very well and great that the jobs in Cork and Limerick will be retained, but the issue is that the jobs are located in Dublin 1, a significant of number of the employees come from the local area, I do not need to tell the Minister of State about the issues in this area. It has been very difficult for the employees and I am very struck by the fact that very little attention seems to have been given to this matter.

A smooth takeover does not really include offering people whose jobs are based in, who live in and who have their families in Dublin the option of moving to Cork and Limerick to keep their jobs. I understand that there are some whom it may suit to transfer, but there is still that significant number whom it does not. Regardless of a buoyant economy, they are now going to be out of work. I hope that the Department can be more proactively involved on this matter. I understand from Eir that its costs in Dublin are such that it wants to move out of Dublin. Can the Department do anything in this respect?

See this speech in context